Thursday, June 17, 2010

Zoo-phonics - The Zoo-phonics Language Arts Program is a kinesthetic, multi-modal approach to learning all aspects of language arts, including vocabulary development and articulation, based on phonics and phonemic awareness. The principle of Zoo-phonics maximizes understanding, memory, utilization and transference to all areas of the reading, spelling and writing process in a playful and concrete manner. Zoo-phonics is a method  developed to make children strong readers and spellers using a “phono” (hearing), “oral” (speaking), “visual” (seeing), kinesthetic” (moving), and tactile (touching)—whole brain approach. Students actually learn the sounds of the alphabet and advanced phonemic concepts through an easily understood, concrete method of presentation. In addition to an overview of this program that is appropriate for toddlers through first grade, you will also have an opportunity to watch an experienced teacher conduct a lesson.

Reading A-Z - Reading A-Z offers thousands of printable teacher materials to teach leveled reading, phonemic awareness, reading comprehension, reading fluency, alphabet, and vocabulary. The teaching resources include professionally developed downloadable leveled books, lesson plans, worksheets, and reading assessments. Reading A-Z's downloadable books, lessons, worksheets and other resources are designed for use in various reading settings from whole class to small group to individual work. All materials are research-based, standards-based, and results oriented. If you are looking for a way to ability group your early readers, then you might consider this inexpensive approach. Reading A-Z offers ongoing support with options for on-site or facilitated Web-based learning. Look through the materials and ask questions of a teacher who has used this program for several years.

Strategies for Teaching Toddlers (2's) - Katie Youngblood, St. George's, Austin - In recognition of the fact that two-year-olds require a unique set of teaching skills. Katie will share a comprehensive collection of strategies and materials she uses in working with her two-year-old students. Question and answer time will be provided.

Discovering Math and Science (All) - (3's, 4's, K) - Larry Von Alexander, Good Shepherd, Austin - Math and science are sometimes neglected in our pre-school classrooms. Our days fill up with observing and guiding children, providing rich language  experiences, working on fine motor skills, and participating in whole school events. Larry’s goal in making this presentation is simply to relate his experiences teaching after-school enrichment classes to Fours and Pre-K/Kindergarten. He will discuss methods and expectations for different ages and abilities and ways to engage children and keep them interested. He will demonstrate several activities and experiments and discuss the importance of games in learning Math skills.

Chapel Lessons and Stories - (2's, 3's, 4's, K) - Windsor Standish, Chaplain, All Saint's, Austin - Many of us have purchased Bill Gordh’s book, Building a Children’s Chapel, One Story at a Time.  Bill is a gifted storyteller and musician, so how does a   person without those gifts use his book designed to create a meaningful chapel for children ages 3 to 7? And, what happens after all 32 lessons have been taught. Watch a demonstration of a lay person leading chapel using one of Bill’s lessons and learn how you can use his model to teach any Bible story.

Science Workshop (All) - (2's, 3's, 4's, K) - Jennifer Wheatley, St. David's, Austin - Jennifer will share strategies and ideas for setting up and conducting science experiments that make science an “every day” experience. She will use easily accessible ingredients, toys and products to show how science is    everywhere and how it is for everyone. She will also give ideas on how to relate these experiments and activities to the real world.

Conferencing with Parents about Gesell Developmental Observations  -
(2's, 3's, 4's, K) - Cindy LaPorte, Head of School, All Saints', Austin - Are you having difficulty determining the appropriate placement for your preschool students and so you decided to use the Gesell Developmental Observation? As you know, “unlike I.Q. or academic performance tests, this tool measures the child’s language and physical motor skills, as well as adaptive behaviors, through direct observation. It includes cognitive thinking,  memory, perception, problem solving, and attention to task or, simply, putting knowledge into action.”  Now learn how to conference with parents about the results. The presenter will use a completed recording form to demonstrate how to explain to a parent the approach and process their child used in completing the products in each section. Effective conferencing is essential when making a recommendation for placement.

Friday, June 18, 2010

Handwriting Without Tears - (2's, 3's, 4's, K) - Marjorie Rozell & Irma Puenta, St. Alban's, Harlingen - This program provides a multi-sensory dimension to much more than handwriting instruction in a preschool setting. Singing, music, coloring,   building and playing help young children learn and build confidence as they are introduced to the handwriting process. Shapes, pre-strokes, letters and numbers are introduced in a developmental learning sequence, and  multi-sensory play with wood pieces, slate, and crayons are used to introduce letter formation.  Other aspects of the program emphasize body awareness, and enhance the development of fine motor,  social and vocabulary skills.

How to Develop Classroom Websites  - (2's, 3's, 4's, K) - Jamie Fierro, All Saints', Austin - Looking for an inexpensive way to communicate information to  parents? Trying to be more “green” in your approach?  Then consider using a service that allows you to upload photos, post classroom news and announcements, maintain calendars, post newsletters and create on-line sign-up sheets. Watch a demonstration on how easy it is to use and learn how to train your families to have better organizational skills by requiring that they be responsible for answering their own questions about upcoming events and  assignments.

Music Together - (2's, 3's, 4's, K) - Emily Miller, All Saints', Austin - There are many music programs available for early childhood classes and so it can be difficult to  decide which one to purchase and implement. Watch a demonstration and learn how one school is using the principles music from    Music Together to strengthen its music curriculum.  Music Together "is an internationally recognized early childhood music program for babies, toddlers, preschoolers, kindergartners, and the adults who love them. First offered to the public in 1987, it pioneered the concept of a research-based, developmentally appropriate early childhood music curriculum that strongly emphasizes and facilitates adult involvement. Classes are based on the recognition that all children are musical. All children can learn to sing in tune, keep a beat, and participate with confidence in the music of our culture, provided that their early environment supports such learning."